Float actuated valve



Jan. 25, 1966 G. B. RICHARDS FLOAT ACTUATED VALVE Filed Oct. 31, 1962 INVENTOR.

United States Patent O 3,230,965 FLAT ACTUATED VALVE George B. Richards, Lake Forest, Ill., assigner to Liquid Controls Corporation, North Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed Oct. 31, 1962, Ser. No. 234,415 11 Claims. (Cl. 137-202) This invention relates to actuator mechanisms and has to do more particularly with an actuator mechanism of the character wherein an actuator is connected to resilient bowed pressure elements which position the actuator for movement in either of two directions along a predetermined path.

One example of an actuator of the general type to which the present invention relates is shown, described and claimed in United States Patent No. 3,021,861 granted February 20, 1962, to Henry Robert Billeter and George B. Richards. The said Billeter and Richards patent discloses a device wherein is provided a casing deiining a chamber having an opening thereinto a plurality of internal face portions disposed symmetrically about an axis and an actuator movable along the axis and having face portions disposed in opposed relation to the lirst face portions and a plurality of normally flat, resilient strip members having iirst portions secured to the casing adjacent to the face portions thereof, second portions secured to the actuator and intermediate portions which are free and maintained in bowed shape, the strip members being bent back upon themselves and of sufficient length to form two opposed portions, one lying against one of the internal face portions and the other lying against the face portion on the actuator which is opposed to the face portion on the casing. The strips position the actuator for movement along the axis between a first position wherein the strip lies against the corresponding face portions to a predetermined extent and a second position wherein the strips lie against the face portions to a lesser extent than in the lirst position.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention disclosed in the said Billeter and Richards patent, the lirst face portions are formed on the wall of the casing which encloses the chamber and an orifice is formed in at least one of such face portions which orifice is positioned to be closed by the corresponding strip where the actuator is moved to its position wherein the strip overlies the face to a predetermined extent and to be exposed when the strip overlies the first portion to a lesser extent.

In accordance with the present invention the first face portions are formed on a center post disposed in the casing and spaced inwardly from the walls defining the chamber, and the opposed face portions carried by the actuator are disposed outwardly of the first face portions. This construction has certain advantages which will appear from the following description. The device is so constructed that a minimum of machining operations are required. The device moreover is simple and inexpensive and light in weight. The invention is especially useful in connection with devices which operate to separate two immiscible fluids at least one of which is a liquid. Such devices include air eliminators which operate to separate a gas, such as air, from a liquid and liquid segregators which operate to separate two immiscible liquids of different specific gravities. Such devices are designated generally herein as duid separators.

An object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved actuator mechanism.

Another object is to provide a new and improved fluid separator for separating two immiscible iluids of different specific gravities at least one of which is a liquid.

Another object is to provide a duid separator which is ICC simple, light in weight and inexpensive to build and assemble.

Another object is to provide a fluid separator having an outlet or outlets which are readily adjusted to various positions even after the device is installed.

Another object is to provide a fluid separator wherein the interior is readily accessible for servicing operations.

Another object is to provide a uid separator which can be manufactured with a minimum of machine operations.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description taken in connection with the appended drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a vertical elevational view through one form of air eliminator embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a section taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a view of a section taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 1 there is shown an air eliminator which includes a head 20, including a casing 21 formed as hereinafter described in detail and having a bottom flange 22 secured as by bolts (not shown) to a flange 23 of a tank 24. An O-ring 25 preferably is provided for sealing the joint between the casing 21 and the tank 24. The interior of the tank 24 serves as a chamber 35 which communicates with the interior of the head 20 through the open bottom of the casing 21, thus permitting uids to ow into the head 20 from the tank 24.

The casing 21 may be of any suitable cross sectional shape but for convenience in manufacture is made cylindrical. The bottom flange 22 is secured as by welding to a side wall member 27 which may be formed either from tubing or from rolled sheet metal and preferably is provided at its upper end with a flange 25 to which a top wall member 29 is secured as by bolts 38 and nuts 31 to substantially close the upper end of the side wall member 27. A sealing gasket 32 preferably is provided between the flange 25 and the top member 29.

Secured to thebottom or underside of the top member 29 as by screws 39 is a post 40 having a body 41 and anges 42 through which flanges the screws 39 pass. The post 40 depends from the top member 29 and-is disposed in the chamber 35 in spaced relation to the side wall member 27. The post 40 is provided with a plurality of face portions 45 which are planar and are disposed in opposite relation on the post. Preferably, two such faces 45 are provided but it will be understood that a greater number may be provided if desired.

The post 40 is provided with an outlet passage 46 corresponding to each face 45 and extending longitudinally of tha post from a point short of the lower end to the upper end. Each passage 46 is provided with an inlet orice 47 opening into the corresponding face 45 thereby providing communication between the chamber 35 and the passage 46.

A pipe block 50 is mounted on the top member 29 and may be formed separately therefrom and secured thereto as by welding or may be formed integrally therewith. The pipe block 50 is forme-d with two outlet openings 51 each adapted to receive a pipe or other conduit member 52 which preferably is threaded into the block 50. Each outlet opening 51 communicates through a passage 53 inthe block 50, a passage 54 in the top member 29, and an opening 55 and gasket 32 with the passage 46. Thus there is provided two outlet passages from the Ichamber 35 to the pipe 52 each consisting of the orice 47, the passage 46, the opening 55, the passage 54, the passage 53 and the opening 51. The two outlet passages 51 preferably are interconnected by a restricted passage 60 having an enlarged portion 61 receiving a threaded plug "tained thereagainst.

'62. When the plug 62 is in position, the outlets 51 are completely isolated from one another but may be interconnected by removal of the plug 62 for a purpose whlch will hereinafter appear. y

Each ofthe orifices 47 is adapted to be closed by a valve element 70 which also may be termed a pressure element. The valve elements 70 are similar in const-ruc- 'tion and accordingly only one of the valve elements and the associated portions of the device will be described in detail. The valve element 70 takes a form of an elongated, normally dat strip of flexible resilient material, preferably metal, which is inert to the liquid with which `the air eliminator is adapted to be used. While any spring material having'suit-able flexibility, resiliency, and inertness may be used, I have found that a spring steel alloy sold under the lname Elgilo'y provides excellent results.

The valve element or strip 70 is of sufficient width toextend across and completely close the oric'e 47 when the valve element is in closed position and is of sufficient ler'igth to'perm'it it to be mounted and actuated as hereinafter described.

T he faces 45 may, if desired, be provided with flat facing members (not shown) formed of a suitable soft sealing material and having orifices (not shown) registering with the orifices 47. Where such facing members are provided, the strips 70 seat against such members instead yof =directly against the faces-'45, thus insuring against vany leakage of liuid between the contacting surfaces of the strips 70 and the faces 45. Where such facing members are provided, it may be found unnecessary to machine the faces 45 as a certain degree of roughness may not prevent the strips from sealing the orifices when the strips are in closed position over the orifices.

The valve element or strip 70 is rigidly secured to the post 40 at a point below the orifice 47 and in such position that the adjacent portion of the strip lies against the face 45 of the posit 40 Iat all times. To this end the lower end of the strip 70 is secured as by a screw 71 to a face'72a which is `offset from and inclined downwardly land outwardly with respect to the face 45. The inclination of the face 72a insures that the portion of the strip 70 which lies against the face 45 is firmly main- The strip '70 preferably is provided with an outwardly bent end which lies at against the face 72a.

The other end of the strip 70 is secured as by a rivet 75 to a pressure strip or reaction member 76 having fan inner -face 77 of planar form and disposed in opposed, parallel relation to the face 45.

The reaction member 76 is spaced from the side wall -27 and -is secured at its lower end in a suitable manner to a float 72. The reaction member 76 is suitably secured to the iioat as by providing 'a bent over foot 77a which is attached to the iioat 72 as by welding.

The two reaction members 76 are maintained against Vspreading under the pressures of the strips 70 Yas hereinafter described by a retaining or connecting member -80 preferably of strip form and rectangular shape, which member is secured to the reaction members 76 by rivets 75. The assembly formed by the reaction member 76 and the retaining member 86 may be termed a reaction element and may be formed by a single member (not shown). The retaining member 80 preferably is of rectangular shape and has its two end portions extending slightly beyond the side edges of the reaction members 76. The width of the ends is such that the sides of the retaining member 80 clear both the strip members 70 and the post 40 and, thus, the retaining member 39 does not interfere in any way with the movement of the float 72 or of the strips 70 as hereinafter described.

The tioat 72 includes a hollow ball portion 80a through which extends a tubular guide stem 81 which is sealingly secured to the ball portion 80a. The ball portion 80a, guide stem S1, reaction members 76 and reshipment.

taining member S0 all are movable up and down in the chamber 35 as a unit and serve to actuate the strips. This assembly may be termed an actuator.

A guide stem 81 is slidable along a guide shaft 82 which is threaded into and depends from the bottom of the post 4u. The bottom face d3 of the post 40 serves as a stop for the float 72 in an upward direction and a stop S4 secured to the lower portion of the shaft S2 serves as a stop for the movement of the float 72 in a downward direction.

The stem 81 sliding over the shaft 82 serves to guide the float 72 in a vertical direction within the chamber 35.

The strip 70 is so secured to and supported by the post 4th and the float 72 that in all positions thereof throughout its range of movement from its upper position (as shown in FIG. l) against the post 40 to its lower-position against the stop 84, the strip has a free portion extending `between the portion which bears against the face 45 and the portion which bears against the opposing face 77 of the reaction member 76 which free portion is bent back upon itself and assumes a curved shape. As explained more fully hereinafter, the'strip 7t'exerts equal and opposed forces on the faces 45 and77.

The faces 45 are disposed symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the post 40 as are the faces 77 of the reaction members 76 which are in opposition to the faces 45, respectively. The strips 70 position the actuator for movement along such axis.

The two strips 70 are connected to the post 40 and the reaction members 76 in diamet-rically opposed arrangement whereby the reaction members 76 and, consequently, the float 72 have balanced forces exerted thereon so that the float normally is freely positioned by the strips in the chamber 35 and does not bear against the guide shaft 82. The shaft, however, is provided so as to protect the float and strips from damage due to extraneous forces during movement of the device, as in Each of the strips 70 serves as a pressure element which yieldably resists lateral displacement of the actuator.

Since the assembly or actuator, consisting of the strips 70, the reaction members 76, the connecting member 80, and the float 72, is freely positioned, the forces exerted by the respective strips 70 against the corresponding faces 45 are balanced and the strips, therefore, are completely balanced against each other.

The arrangement is such that each of the strips 7G is under stress throughout its entire range of movement which causes each strip to be urged against its corresponding face 45 through-a portion of the strip. When the fioat 72 is in its lower position the strips 70 bear against the faces of their respective surfaces 45 through only the lower portions of the strips and at an area on each of the faces 45 below the orifices 47. Thus, the orifices are open and provide communication between the chlamber 35 and passage 46. However, as the float '72 rises to its upper positiion as established by the abutment of the stem 81 against the surface 83, the strips 70 bear against greater areas of the faces 45 and close the orifices 47. In such position of the oat 72 the strips 70 'bear against the faces 45 at portions above the orifices in order to provide complete closures 'for the orifices. It will be seen that the strips 70 are urged to their positions closing and sealing the orifices 47 by the resiliency of the strips 70 themselves.

In the operation of the air eliminator, the tank 24 is suitably connected to a liquid line (not shown) from which ft is desired to remove air. Assuming that the air has ibeen removed and 'liquid stands in the head 20 at a level sufiicient to raise the float to its .uppermost position, the strips 70 are in closed positions. Thus, the strips lie against their respective surfaces 45 and extend entirely over and seialingly close 4the respective orifices 47 so that no liquid can escape 'from the head.

It will be noted that the strips 70 lie at against the respective surfaces 45 through a substantial zone thereof and, particularly, a zone on both sides of land above and below the orifices 47 so that the latter are fully closed. As noted above, the spring pressure of the strips 70 provided by reason of their bowed or arcuate form insures that the closing portions thereof are maintained against their respective faces 45 regardless of whether or not the air or liquid within the float chamber is under pressure.

When air (or other fiuids lighter than the primary fluid, which is a liquid) enters the chamber 35 from the liquid line such air displaces the liquid in the chamber and causes the level to fall. When this occurs the fioat 72, which is buoyantly supported by the liquid, 'also falls and carries with i-t the reaction members 76 -to which th-e strips 70are attached. The downward movement of the reaction members 76 causes the ends of the strips 70 attached thereto to move downwardly in a direction parallel to the faces 45 with the result that the portions of the strips 70, which lpreviously lay against the faces 45, are stripped or peeled away from the lfaces 55 progressively downwardly and as the downward movement of the iioat continues the orifices 47 are progressively uncovered in la direction from the upper portions thereof toward the lower portions.

There is a small lforce resulting from the pressure differential .on the tlwo sides of each stri-p which is applied over that portion of the [face of each of the strips which overlies the corresponding orifice and which force tends to maintain each strip against the corresponding face 45 to close t-he orifice. This force, however, is very small and is relatively ineffective in the movement of the strip. It will been seen that each of the strips is progressively pulled away from the corresponding face 45 and, owing to the resilience of the strips and the arcuate shape into which the strip is :forced by the manner in which it is attached to the post 4Q and to the reaction member 76, the strip is moved from the face 45 in progressively small increments so that only a small portion of the area of thepst'rip which overliesthe face 45 is moved away from the lface at any instant. Thus, the orifice is progressively uncovered in small increments and any fluid pressure- 'generated force opposing the movement of such small increments of the strip away from the face is extremely As stated above, each strip is so supported that the free portion of the strip retains a curved shape in all positions of the iioat. Thus, it will be seen that as the float moves downwardly and carries with it theend of the strip which is secured to the reaction member 76,

:the adjacent portion of the strip is progressively flattened :and the portion of the strip adjacent the end which is attached to the post is progressively curved. In oth-er words, the arcor bend in the strip is transferred from a portion nearer to the outer, anchored end which is attached to the reaction member 76 to a portion nearer to the inner, anchored end which is attached to the post As soon asthe orifices 47 have been uncovered by the above-described opening movement of the strips, the

air or other iiuid trapped in the chamber 3-5 above the primary liquid in the chamber 35 and which normally is under some pressure is caused to iiow out of the charnber through the orifices 47 and the outlet passages to the/pipes 52 by which it is conducted to a point of disposal or utilization.

Should the liquid level-in the chamber 35 .fall sufficiently, the downward movement of the actuator will be halted by the stop 84.

When the air or other fluid has been discharged to such an extent that the liquid level rises sufficiently to support and lift the float 72, the latter is elevated and causes the strips 70 to be moved in a reverse direction to that described above in connection with the opening of the valves. That is to say, as the tioat '72 moves uI wardly, the strips are caused to progressively move against the faces 45 to an increasing degree and to progressively close their respective orifices until the orifices are completely closed and the strips extend in contact with the [faces 45, both above and below the orifices. When the strips are in closed position no lfurther air or other fluid can escape from the chamber 35.

It will be understood that the device of the present invention is sruitable not only for separating la gas from a liquid, but also for separating two immisoible liquids of dierent specific gravities. Where it is desired to separate the lighter of two liquids from a heavier liquid, the device is employed in the manner just described with the lighter liquid being discharged through the orifices and the outlet passages. The fioat is mlade to be buoyant in the heavier of the two liquids and to sink in the lighter of the -two liquids so that it will follow the level of the intenface between the two liquids as such inter-face rises and falls and, thus, perform the desired separating action.

Where it is desired to remove the heavier of the two liquids from the lighter liquid and to retain the lighter liquid in the system, the device is installed in inverted position so that it depends from the tank 24 and the outlet passages are in the lower portion of the device. In such mode of operation the fioat will move up and down as the interface rises and falls. Thus, upon an accumulation of the heavier liquid within the chamber 35 in excess of a predetermined quantity, the float will be elevated to a position which will open the orifices 47 and allow the heavier liquid to flow out of the casing. When the liquid level falls to a predetermined level, the orifices will he closed and halt further outfiow of the heavier liquid, thus retaining the lighter liquid in the chamber 35.

It will be understood that while in the present application the pressure elements, or least one of them, is disclosed as taking the form of valve member to close an orifice the pressure elements may serve merely as guiding or positioning elements and have no valving function.

It will be further understood that while the actuator is disclosed as taking the form of a float which is supported by a liquid which rises and falls with the rise and fall of the level of the liquid, the actuator may be adapted to be moved in either direction by forces generated by other means than the rise and fall of the level of a liquid. Thus, while the present invention finds wide application in connection with float actuators an-d is disclosed in connection therewith, it is not limited to such applications.

It will be understood that the present invention is not limited to two pairs of opposed wall faces with two pressure elements bearing against and cooperating with such faces but that more than two such pairs of faces and pressure elements may be employed, such faces and pressure elements 'being disposed in a balanced arrangemen about the axis of movement of the actuator.

The device is provided with two outlets so that the fluid discharged therefrom can be conducted to two different points. For example, it may be desired to collect and discharge one of the uids from the system in which the device is connected and at the same time to utilize the pressure of such collected liuid for performing some function such as operating a control device for the system or operating some other device. In that event one of the outlet pipes is connected to the point of discharge and the other connected to this pressure-operated devi'ce. Where it is desired that the discharge and the control operations be entirely independent, the plug 62 is left in place. On the other hand, it may be desired that the device be capable of bleeding back the fluid from the pressure-controlled device, to the discharge pipe after the control function has been carried out. In such a case, the plug 62 is removed and the small diameter passage 60 serves to permit the restricted iiow of liquid from one pipe to the other. Where it is desired merely t0 discharge the collected fiuid from the chamber, a single outlet passage (not shown) may be provided in the post instead of a plurality of passages and bo-th (or all) of the orifices connected to the single passage.

The upper wall 29 may be turned to any selected one of a plurality of positions on the side wall 27 after re moving the Ibolts and nuts which secure the former to the latter. Thus, the orientation of the outlet pipes yrelatively to the side wall 27 and to the tank Z4 may be changed without disconnecting the side wall from the tank.

It will -be seen from the foregoing that the present invention provides an actuator mechanism and more particularly a fluid separator of very simple construction which can be made easily and inexpensively. The casing can be made principally from a tube or rolled sheet metal and does not require any machining operation. The top assembly vand the post can be made from members which require a minimum of machining. Instead o'f making the top assembly as above it may be formed from a single die cast member or from a plurality of suitably connected members. The actuator assem'bly can be made by spinning the members forming the float, and the members connected thereto can be assembled readily and inexpensively.

The construction is such that the device can be made very light in weight but at the same time is such that the device vhas sufficient rigidity to carry out the desired functions,

`I claim:

1. A iiuid separator comprising a casing defining a chamber and having an inlet opening leading into said chamber, a first means disposed in said chamber and having an outlet passage therein leading from s-aid chamber, said first means being formed with a set of rst outwardly directed faces disposed about an axis, an actuator movable along said axis and having a set of second faces vgenerally opposed respectively to said first faces and about said axis and means positioning said actuator for movement along said axis and including a plurality of normally fiat, resilient strip members having first portions secured to said first means adjacent said first faces respectively and second portions secured to said actuator adjacent said second faces respectively, said first and second portions of each strip member being spaced apart by a third and intermediate portion which is free and maintained in bowed shape, said strip members being bent back upon themselves and being of sufficient length so that they form two generally opposed portions, one lying against each of the corresponding opposed faces whereby said strip members exert equal forces on the faces with which they cooperate respectively and position the actuator on said axis for movement therealong between a first position wherein said strip members lie against the corresponding first and second faces to a predetermined extent and a second position wherein said strip members lie against said second faces to a lesser extent than when in said first position, at least one of said first faces having an orifice opening into said outlet passage and positioned to be closed by the corresponding strip when in said first position.

2. A fluid separator according to claim 1 wherein said casing includes a tubular side wall and an end wall closing one end of said side wall and carrying said first means in spaced relation to said side wall.

3. A fiuid separator comprising a casing defining a chamber and having a tubular side wall, said casing having `an inlet opening leading into said chamber, a first means including a post disposed in said chamber and spaced from said side wall and having an outlet passage therein leading from said chamber, said first means being formed with a set of first faces disposed about an axis, an actuator movable along said axis and including a. fioat and a reaction element carried by said float in spaced relation to said side wall and said post and having a set-of second faces generally 'opposed respectively to said first faces and about said axis and means positioning said actuator for movement along said axis and including a plurality of resilient strip members having first portions secured to said first means adjacent said first faces respectively and second portions secured tosaid reaction element adjacent said second faces respectively, said first and second portions of each strip member being spaced apart by a third and intermediate portion which is free and maintained in bowed shape, lsaid stri-p mem-bers being bent back upon themselves and being of sufiicient length so that they form two generally opposed portions, one lying against each of the corresponding faces whereby said strip members exert equal forces ou the faces with which they cooperate respectively and position the actuator on said axis for movement therealong between `a first position wherein said strip members lie against the corresponding first and second lfaces to a predetermined extent and a second position whereinsaid strip members lie against said second faces to a lesser extent than when in Isaid first position, at least one of said Ifirst faces having an orifice opening into said outlet passage and positioned to be closed'by the corresponding strip when in said first position.

4. A fluid separator according to claim 3 wherein yis provided a guide shaft carried by and extending along the axis of said post and said float is received over and slidable along said shaft.

5. A fiuid separator according to claim `3 wherein said reaction element includes a plurality of reaction members secured to and upstanding from said floatin opposed relation to said first faces and a retaining member secured to and connecting said reaction members.

6. A fluid separator according to claim 3 wherein said casing is formed by a side wall member and a top wallvmem'ber secured to said side wall member and vsaid post is secured to and depends from said top wall member.

7. A fiuid separator comprising a casing defining a chamber and having an inlet opening leading into said chamber, a first means disposed in said chamber and having a plurality of outlet passages therein leading from said chamber, said first means being formed Awith a kSet of first outwardly directed faces disposed about an axis, an actuator movable along said axis and having a set of second faces generally opposed respectively to said first faces and about said axis, means positioning said actuator for movement along said axis and including a plurality of normally flat, resilient strip members having first vportions secured to said nrst means adjacent said first faces respectively and second portions secured to said actuator adjacent said second faces respectively, said first and second portions of eachstrip member being spaced apart by a third and intermediate portion which is free and maintained in bowed shape, said stri-p members being bent back upon themselves and being of sufficient length so that they form two generally opposed portions, one lying against each of the corresponding opposed faces whereby said strip members exert equal forces on the faces with which they cooperate respectively and position the actuator on said axis for movement therealong between a first position wherein said strip members lie against the corresponding first and second faces to a predetermined ex-tent and a second position wherein said strip members lie against said second faces to a lesser extent than when in said first position, said first faces having orifices opening into said outlet passages respectively and positioned to be closed by the corresponding strip when in said first position, and means defining a restricted bleeder passage connected between said outlet passages.

8. An actuator mechanism comprising a casing defining a chamber, a first means fixedly disposed in said chamber and formed with -a set of first outwardly directed faces disposed about an axis, an actuator movable along said axis and having a set of second faces outwardly of and generally opposed respectively to said first faces and about said axis at least one of said second faces having an orifice therein and means positioning said actuator for movement along said axis `and including a plurality of normally flat resilient strip members having first portions secured to said first means adjacent said first faces respectively and second portions secured to said actuator adjacent said second faces respectively, said first and second portions of each strip member being spaced apart by a third and intermediate portion which is free and maintained in bowed shape, said strip members being bent back upon them-selves and being of sufficient length so that they form two generally opposed portions, one lying against each of the corresponding opposed faces whereby said strip members exert equal forces on the faces with which they cooperate respectively and position the actuator on said axis for movement therealong between a first position wherein said strip members lie against the corresponding -first and second faces to a predetermined extent and one of said strip members closes said orifice and a second position wherein said strip members lie against said second faces to a lesser extent than when in said first position and said one strip member is away from said orifice.

9. A valve mechanism comprising a housing having a float chamber therein, at least one inlet passageway and one outlet passageway communicating with said chamber through said hous- 111g, a guide post vertically mounted in said float chamber, a fioat slidably mounted on said guide post, one of said passageways being located within said -guide post and partially extending in a direction axially to said post and opening into said chamber through the side lof said post, said post supporting a valve seat surface surrounding said one passageway where it opens into said charnber, `and valve means including a valve member carried by said iioat and movable by said float in a direction transverse to the movement of said float between a valve closing position wherein said valve member lies against said valve seat and a valve opening position away from said valve seat, said valve member comprising a resilient strip member having a first portion secured at one end to said float and having a second portion at its other end secured to said housing, said first and second portions being spaced apart by a third and intermediate portion which is free and maintained in bowed shape, said strip member being bent back upon itself and being of suficient length so as to form two generally opposed portions, one lying against said post adjacent to said Valve seat surface and the other lying against said housing such that in one position of said fioat said strip member lies against said valve `seat surface to a predetermined extent and in another position of said float said strip member lies against said valve seat surface to a lesser extent, whereby said one passageway is selectively opened to said chamber under control of said float.

10. A valve mechanism according to claim 9 further comprising another strip member carried by said fioat and movable by said float in a direction transverse to the movement of said iioat and opposite to the movement of said firstenamed strip member between a first position against said post and a second position away from said post whereby to provide a balanced reactive force on said fioat.

11. A valve mechanism comprising,

a casing having a chamber therein,

a -member in said chamber having a pair of oppositely and outwardly directed faces,

passageway means extending through said member and opening into said cham-ber through a pair of oppositely directed orifices respectively provided in said faces,

a pair of resilient strip members each having a first portion secured to said member adjacent to said faces, an actuator movably mounted along an axis in said casing,

said strip members each having second portions secured to said actuator,

said first and second portions of each strip being spaced apart by a third and intermediate portion which is free and maintained in bowed shape,

`said strip members being bent back upon themselves and being of sufiicient length so that they form two generally opposed portions, one lying against each of the corresponding opposed faces whereby said strip members exert equal forces on the faces with which they cooperate respectively and position the actuator on said axis for movement therealong between a first position wherein said strip members lie against the corresponding faces to a predetermined extent and a second position wherein said strip members lie against said faces to a lesser extent than when in said first position.

References Cited bythe Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 22,170 11/1858 Douglas 137-192 302,622 7/1884 Coffee 137-192 M. CARY NELSON, Primary Examiner.

ISADOR WEIL, WILLIAM F. ODEA, Examiners. 

1. A FLUID SEPARATOR COMPRISING A CASING DEFINING A CHAMBER AND HAVING AN INLET OPENING LEADING INTO SAID CHAMBER, A FIRST MEANS DISPOSED IN SAID CHAMBER AND HAVING AN OUTLET PASSAGE THEREIN LEADING FROM SAID CHAMBER, SAID FIRST MEANS BEING FORMED WITH A SET OF FIRST OUTWARDLY DIRECTED FACES DISPOSED ABOUT AN AXIS, AN ACTUATOR MOVABLE ALONG SAID AXIS AND HAVING A SET OF SECOND FACES GENERALLY OPPOSED RESPECTIVELY TO SAID FIRST FACES AND ABOUT SAID AXIS AND MEANS POSITIONING SAID ACTUATOR FOR MOVEMENT ALONG SAID AXIS AND INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF NORMALLY FLAT, RESILIENT STRIP MEMBERS HAVING FIRST PORTIONS SECURED TO SAID FIRST MEANS ADJACENT SAID FIRST FACES RESPECTIVELY AND SECOND PORTIONS SECURED TO SAID ACTUATOR ADJACENT SAID SECOND FACES RESPECTIVELY, SAID FIRST AND SECOND PORTIONS OF EACH STRIP MEMBER BEING SPACED APART BY A THIRD AND INTERMEDIATE PORTION WHICH IS FREE AND MAINTAINED IN BOWED SHAPE, SAID STRIP MEMBER BEING SPACED APART BENT BACK UPON THEMSELVES AND BEING OF SUFFICIENT LENGTH SO THAT THEY FORM TWO GENERALLY OPPOSED PORTIONS, ONE LYING AGAINST EACH OF THE CORRESPONDING OPPOSED FACES WHEREBY SAID STRIP MEMBERS EXERT EQUAL FORCES ON THE FACES WITH WHICH THEY COOPERATE RESPECTIVELY AND POSITION THE ACTUATOR ON SAID AXIS FOR MOVEMENT THEREALONG BETWEEN A FIRST POSITION WHEREIN SAID STRIP MEMBERS LIE AGAINST THE CORRESPONDING FIRST AND SECOND FACES TO A PREDETERMINED EXTENT AND A SECOND POSITION WHEREIN SAID STRIP MEMBERS LIE AGAINST SAID SECOND FACES TO A LESSER EXTENT THAN WHEN IN SAID FIRST POSITION, AT LEAST ONE OF SAID FIRST FACES HAVING AN ORIFICE OPENING INTO SAID OUTLET PASSAGE AND POSITIONED TO BE CLOSED BY THE CORRESPONDING STRIP WHEN IN SAID FIRST POSITION. 